Product Manager
11/09/2024
Introduction
Three product managers with years of experience in the field unveiled insider tips on navigating the PM journey as a junior, driving innovation with cross-functional teams, and shaping the future of products.
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Qianru Wang
Senior PM @ Disney
With a background in liberal arts, Qianru Wang made a successful transition into the tech industry and now has over 8 years of experience as a Product Manager. Currently a Principal Product Manager at Disney, Qianru has skillfully navigated the challenges of a demanding role as an introvert, balancing assertiveness with introspection. In our workshop, she shares her journey and insights on thriving as an introvert in the workplace.
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Yan Chen
Senior PM @ Microsoft
A Senior Product Manager at Microsoft for 7 years, with experience spanning Azure Observability, Azure Core Compute, and Azure Experimentation. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, outdoor activities, and coffee tasting with family and friends.
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Silver Zhou
PM Lead @Tiktok
With a background in Healthcare, Silver had a successful transition to the Tech industry. Currently a product lead at Tiktok, Silver has accumulated experience in Product for over 7 years. In her product management journey, she explored different product focuses, including GTM, physical product development, tech product build up, etc. She is happy to share her POV from various angles.
We had the privilege of hosting three accomplished Product Managers for a deep dive into what it takes to excel in this dynamic field. The event was packed with valuable insights, practical advice, and real-world examples that gave attendees a clear look into the life of a PM. From defining product vision to building trust with cross-functional teams, the speakers shed light on both the hard and soft skills that drive success.
The PMs walked us through their day-to-day responsibilities, revealing how they drive the product lifecycle from start to finish. They emphasized that a Product Manager’s role involves gathering insights, defining the roadmap, and collaborating across departments to bring a product to life. It’s a delicate balancing act of understanding the customer, aligning with business objectives, and navigating technical constraints.
For those aspiring to enter the field, the speakers encouraged a focus on a willingness to learn from others. Product management is filled with soft skills that can’t be taught through books alone, such as empathy, strategic thinking, and adaptability. Observing experienced PMs in action and learning from their approaches can be transformative. Staying curious and open to new challenges, they advised, is the key to long-term growth.
Our speakers reminded us that product management is as rewarding as it is demanding, requiring both resilience and a continuous learning mindset. We’re grateful to our guests for sharing their experiences and offering inspiration to the next generation of product leaders.
